Floodlight assembly with improved lens frame

ABSTRACT

A resiliently flexible frame which may be of quadrilateral form is engaged with the edge portions of a complementary lens for closing a similarly sized opening in a cavitated lamp and reflector housing. The frame is continuous about the lens but has a split therein with confronting ends to facilitate assembly of the lens with the frame by springing the frame open to receive the lens and then securing hinge means on the frame at each side of the split to the housing whereby the ends are held against separating and the frame is maintained fixedly on the lens and the lens and the frame can be swung as a unit between open and closed positions relative to the opening and held by releasable means in the closed position with the lens and the frame closed against a sealing gasket.

United States Patent 1191 Castic 5] Nov. 11, 1975 FLOODLIGHT ASSEMBLYWITH IMPROVED LENS FRAME Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner [75]Inventor William A Castic Elk Grove Attorney. Agent. or FirmHill. Gross.Simpson. Van village Santen, Steadman. Chiara & Simpson [73] Assignee:North Star Lighting Inc., Berwyn [57] ABSTRACT lll. A resilientlyflexible frame which may be of quadrilat- Filed; July 3, 1974 eral formis engaged with the edge portions of a complementary lens for closing asimilarly sized opening in PP 485603 a cavitated lamp and reflectorhousing The frame is continuous about the lens but has a split thereinwith 52 us. c1 240/4155; 350/245 Confronting ends to facilitate h' Ofthelens 51 int. c1. F21V 17/00 the frame by springing the Open fhceh'h the5 Field f Search 240/4151 151 152 lens and then securing hinge means onthe frame at 350/245. 253 each side of the split to the housing wherebythe-ends are held against separating and the frame is main- 5 ReferencesCited tained fixedly on the lens and the lens and the frame UNITEDSTATES PATENTS can be swung as a unit between open and closed positionsrelative to the opening and held by releasable means in the closedposition with the lens and the 1:731:2s4 10/1950 Andel LIL 11:11:.350/545 x frame Closed ugamst a seahng gasket 3.2911496 12/1966 Appleton.1 240/4155 19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent 0 Nov. 11, 1975FLOODLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED LENS FRAME This invention relates toimprovements in floodlight assemblies, and is more particularlyconcerned with new and improved lens frame means for such assemblies.

As generally constructed heretofore, lens frames for outdoor floodlightshave customarily been made in one piece and then shaped about the edgeof the lens, or have been made from sections rigidly secured togetherrequiring retainer pieces to hold the lens in the frame. Priorconstructions have also presented some difficulties with proper sealingthe lamp cavity about the lens, especially where the lens frame has beenmade from relatively thick or large cross section material such asaluminum which must be relatively thick to provide adequate strength.

It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention toovercome the deficiencies, inefficiencies and problems in priorfloodlight lens frame structures and to provide a new and improved lensframe and a method of assembling the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floodlight assemblyhaving a new and improved lens mounting frame which can be easily andefficiently assembled with the lens and which will effectively supportthe lens for opening and closing relative to the floodlight housmg.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedfloodlight lens frame structure, and method of assembling with a lens.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedresiliently flexible lens frame for floodlight and which will firmlymaintain the lens in operating position.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing althoughvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from thespirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a floodlight assembly embodying featuresof the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmental vertical sectional detail view takensubstantially along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a more or less schematic elevational view illustrating themethod of assembling the frame with the floodlight lens;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational detail view takensubstantially within the area IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken substantiallyin the area V of FIG. 3.

On reference to FIG. 1, a floodlight assembly embodying features of theinvention includes a housing 1 1 which may be an aluminum castingcavitated to support a lamp 112 and a reflector 13 therein. A lightegress opening 14 in the housing 11 is provided thereabout with agenerally outwardly facing seat 15 against which is received a sealinggasket 17 desirably of substantial thickness and resilient pliabilityand which may be made from a suitable elastomeric material and bonded ifdesired to the seat 15. Arranged to be closed against the gasket 17 is aclosure lens 18 which may be made from thermal and shock resistant glassand which is dimensioned to be received in a complementary lens recess19 provided by the housing outwardly about the seat 15. In one preferredform, the opening 14 as well as the recess 19, and the lens 18 are ofquadrilateral shape and elongated in a horizontal direction as shown. Atits underside, the housing 11 may support lamp ballast and wiring casing20 and a mounting yoke 21.

According to the present invention, a substantially new and improvedlens mounting frame 22 is provided for supporting the lens 18 in openingand closing relation to the housing opening 14 and more particularly therecess 19. Construction and relationship of the frame 22 to the lens 18is such that assembly of the frame with the lens can be easily andquickly effected by simply springing the frame into assembly with thelens whereafter by securing the frame hingedly to the housing 11, theframe is rigidly maintained and efficiently mounts the lens for openingand closing relative to the lamp cavity. To this end, the frame 22 isformed up from resiliently flexible sheet metal such as stainless steelshaped into generally U-channel shape to fit onto the edges of the lens18 fairly snugly but slidably in assembling the same.

In a preferred arrangement, the frame 22 comprises one longitudinalsection 23 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) to receive one longitudinal edge of thelens 18, two opposite side sections 24 coextensive with and to receivethe opposite side edges of the lens 18, and two half sections 25 tocombine in longitudinal alignment to receive the remaining longitudinaledge portion of the lens 18. When the frame is assembled on and aboutthe lens 18, the split ends of the sections 25 confront one another at asplit joint 27. In order to provide for thorough engagement of the frame22 with and about the lens 18, all of the frame sections are constructedof generally U-channel shape provided with a flange 28 to lie againstthe outer face margin of the lens 18, a web 29 to engage the contiguousedge of the lens, and a flange 30 in spaced parallel relation to theflange 28 to engage with the back margin of the lens. Preferably theflange 30 is narrower than the flange 28 to facilitate assembly of theframe onto the lens 18, and also narrower than the gasket 17 so that thegasket will engage not only the frame flange 30 but also directlyagainst the adjacent portion of the lens 18 in thorough sealingrelation.

For optimum results, the frame 22 should be formed up from a singlecontinuous strip of material so that in the finished article the web 29is continuous for all of the sections 23, 24 and 25 of the frame. Toattain this end, the flanges 28 and 30 are notched out at the respectivecorner portions of the frame on proper miter angles so that when the web29 is bent to provide the respective corners the notched edges of theflanges 28 and 30 will abut. Although if preferred the abutting miteredges of the flanges 28 or 30 or both may be welded, satisfactoryrigidity is attained by securing respective reinforcing plates 31 insymmetrical bridging relation over the miter joint between the adjoiningareas of the flange 28 of the side sections 24 and the split sections 25as by means of spot welding 32 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Similarly, the miterjoint between the longitudinal frame section 23 and the side sections24, in each instance, is substantially rigidly fixed by attachment inbridging relation across the joint on the flanges 28 of said sectionsrespective reinforcing plates 33 as by means of spot welding 34.Thereby, although the frame 22 is constructed as a one piece elementsecured together and reinforced at the miter joints of the flangeportions 28 of the respective angularly related sections of the frame,there is adequate resilient yieldability in the frame sections so thatthe lens 18 even though fairly closely sized to the inside dimensionsbetween the web portions 29 of the opposite frame sections, can be easily assembled within the frame simply by springing the frame open toreceive the lens, as permitted by the split between the sections 25,substantially as illustrated in somewhat exaggerated form in FIG. 3. Inother words, the frame is spread apart by swinging the frame sectionsaway from one another and effecting a resilient yielding of the framesections 23 and 24 sufficient to receive a longitudinal edge of the lens18 within the channel of the frame section 23 and adjacent portions ofthe side edges of the lens in the channels of the side frame sections 24adjacent to the junctures with the frame section 23, and the frame thenpermitted to spring back to its intended quadrilateral form with alledges of the lens 18 received in the channels of all of the framesections. Since the frame is made from sheet stainless steel, 22 gauge(0.030) type 302 bright annealed stainless steel having been foundsatisfactory for the purpose, substantial resilient flexibility ispresent in the frame to facilitate the flexing action. Yet the frame issufficiently rigid when fully mounted to provide excellent support forthe lens 18. It may be pointed out that although the outer frame flange28 is of substantial width, providing desirable rigidity in the frameand providing ample base for attachment of the corner plates, thesubstantially narrower inner frame flange 30 in addition to facilitatingdual sealing efficiency of the gasket 17 with the frame and the lens 18,facilitates flexing and assembly of the lens 18 with the frame.

Hinged mounting of the frame 22 on the housing 11 is effected by meansof respective hinges mounted on the frame sections 25 and moreparticularly on the flange portions 28 of such sections. In a desirableform, the hinges 35 are of the piano hinge construction comprising ahinge plate strip 37 of about the same width as the flange 38 andsecured to the outer side of the flange 28 by means such as spot welding38 at suitable spaced points therealong. Completing the hinge 35 in eachinstance is a complementary hinge plate 39 pivotally attached to thehinge plate 37 by means of a hinge pin 40 engaging through alternatinghinge curls on the hinge strips as is customary with piano hinges. Formaximum security, the hinges 35 are substantially coextensive with theframe sections between the split 27 and the corner plates 31. Attachmentof the hinges 35 to the housing 11 is by means of screws 41 fasteningthe hinge plate 39 to a horizontal face 42 on preferably the lowerportion of the housing and suitably offset outwardly relative to theseat 15 to mount the frame and lens unit for swinging into closedposition within the recess 19 and against the gasket 17, with the flange28 of the frame flush with the face 42.

For securing the frame 22 in the closing relation of the lens and frameassembly unit, means are provided on the upper frame section 23comprising a pair of tab plates 43 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) secured to theouter face of the flange 28 as by means of spot welding 44 andprojecting upwardly therefrom. In addition each of the corner plates 33may be provided with an upward tab extension 45 equal to the projectionof the plates 43 from the frame section 23 and serving the same purpose.Means for securing the plates 43 and the extensions 45 to the housing11, in the closed condition of the lens and frame assembly, convenientlycomprise respective screws 47 extending through respective screw holes48 in the plates and the extensions and threaded into respective bores49 in the housing 11 to secure the plates and extensions onto respectiveseat area surfaces 50 on the upper portion of the housing 1 1 anddisposed in a comrn n plane with the face 42 to which the hinge platestrips 49 are secured. As a result, easy access into the cavity 14 isattained by simply removing the screws 47 and swinging the lens andframe assembly open about the pivot provided by the hinges 35. Uponclosing the lens and frame assembly closure, fastening of the tab plates43 and the tab extensions 45 will result in positive retention of theclosure in the closing position and firm positive pressing of the insidemargins of the lens 18 and the frame against the sealing gasket 17,

compressing the gasket against the seat 15.

In order to assist in handling the hingedly mounted lens and frameassembly closure, a handle 51 is desirably provided on the upper portionof the frame and comprises a stainless steel member suitably secured asby means of spot welding to the frame flange 28, preferably midway alongthe upper frame section 23.

Although the frame 22 itself may be constructed from relatively thingauge stainless steel because due to its multiangular cross section theprofile affords ample rigidity while enabling sufficient springing tofacilitate assembly of the lens 18 with the frame, the variousattachments to the frame may be constructed from heavier gauge materialfor adequate resistance to deformation in flat pieces. For example,where the frame is constructed from 22 gauge (.030) material, at leastthe corner plates 31 and 33 and the handle 51 may be formed from 16gauge (.060) material. The hinges 35 may be constructed from 16 gaugestainless steel material, although if preferred a lighter gauge may beemployed. 7

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts ofthis invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a floodlight assembly including a cavitated housing supporting alamp and reflector therein and having a light egress opening with anoutwardly facing seat thereabout against which a sealing gasket isreceived, and a closure lens arranged to be closed against the gasket,the improvement comprising:

a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame in the form of an integrallens edge receiving channel and engaging in support relation about thelens and having a split therein with ends in confronting relation andfacilitating assembly of the lens with the frame by flexing the frameopen sufficiently from a substantially closed loop condition to receivethe lens edgewise in the channel structure and then allowing the frameto spring back into the substantially closed loop condition to entrapthe lens edgewise in the channel structure;

hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and secured to thehousing whereby said ends are held against separating and the frame ismaintained in the substantially closed loop condition fixedly on thelens and enabling the lens and the frame as a unit to be swung betweenopen and closed positions relative to said opening and said gasket; and

releasable means for securing the frame in the closed position with thelens and the frame closed against the gasket. A

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises analuminum casting, said frame comprises thin gauge stainless steel,screws securing said hin'ge means to the housing; and said releasablemeans comprising extensions from the frame and screws securing theextensions to the housing.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lens, said frame, andsaid opening are of quadrilateral outline shape, said housing beingprovided with a recess about said opening complementary to and receptiveof said frame therein and defined by an inner outwardly facing seatsupporting the sealing gasket thereagainst for compression by engagementwith said frame and the lens in sealing engagement with the gasket, saidhousing having a mounting surface along and outwardly from said recess,said hinge means engaging and secured to said mounting surface,attachment tab extensions from said frame on the opposite side thereoffrom said hinge means and providing partof said releasable means, andscrews also comprising part of the releasable means and securing the tabextensions to the housing.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said releasable meanscomprise tabs projecting from the frame on the opposite side of theframe from said hinge means for releasable attachment to the housing.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of substantially U-shape cross section having aninner flange which is shorter than an outer flange, the lens beingengaged between the flanges, and the shorter flange facilitating sealingengagement of the gasket along the edge of the shorter flange.

6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of generally U- shape, the frame having a pluralityof angularly related sections joined at corners, and reinforcing andconnecting plates permanently secured to said sections across the jointsat said corners.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said plates at oppositecorners of the frame have attachment tab extensions comprising part ofsaid releasable means.

8. An assembly according to claim 1, including a handle permanentlysecured to and projecting outwardly on said frame on the opposite sideof the frame from said hinge means.

9. In a floodlight assembly including a cavitated housing supporting alamp and reflector therein and having a light egress opening with anoutwardly facing seat thereabout against which a sealing gasket isreceived, and a closure lens arranged to be closed against the gasket,the improvement comprising:

a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame engaging in supportingrelation about the lens and having a split therein with ends inconfronting relation and facilitating assembly of the lens with theframe by springing the frame;

hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and secured to thehousing whereby said ends are held against separating and the frame ismaintained fixedly on the lens and enabling the lens and the frame as aunit to be swung between open and closed positions relative to saidopening and said gasket;

releasable means for securing the frame in the closed position with thelens and the frame closed against 7 the gasket; and said hinge meanscomprising piano hinges, each having a plate strip portion secured tothe frame and a hingedly connected plate strip portion for securing thehinge to the housing. 10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein saidreleasable means include tabs projecting from the frame on the oppositeside thereof from said hinge means and adapted to be secured to thehousing by screws. i

11. A frame for supporting a lens in position to be closed against agasket on an outwardly facing seat about a light egress opening in acavitated housing supporting a lamp and reflector therein, the framecomprising:

a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame structure in the'form of anintegral lens edge receiving channel for engaging in supporting relationabout the lens and having a split in the frame with ends of the frameconfronting one another at the split to facilitate assembly of the lenswith the frame by springing the frame open sufficiently from asubstantially closed loop condition to receive a lens edgewise in thechannel and then allowing the frame to spring back into thesubstantially closed loop condition to entrap the lens edgewise in thechannel; hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and adaptedto be secured to the housing so that the ends of the frame will be heldagainst separating and the frame thereby mounted fixedly on the lens andthe lens and the frame thereby enabled to be swung as a unit betweenopening and closing positions relative to the opening and the gasket;and

means on the frame for releasably securing the frame in the closedposition and with the lens and the frame closed against the gasket.

12. A frame according to claim 11, wherein said releasable meanscomprise tabs projecting from the frame on the opposite side of theframe from said hinge means for releasable attachment to the housing.

13. A frame according to claim 11, wherein said frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of substantially U-shape cross section having aninner flange which is shorter than an outer flange, the lens beingengageable between the flanges, and the shorter flange facilitatingsealing engagement of the gasket along the edge of the shorter flange.

14. A frame according to claim 13, wherein the frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of generally U- shaped, the frame having a pluralityof angularly related sections joined at comers, and reinforcing andconnecting plates permanently secured to said sections across the jointsat said corners.

15. A frame according to claim 14, wherein said plates at oppositecorners of the frame have attachment tab extensions comprising part ofsaid releasable means.

16. A frame according to claim 15, including a handle permanentlysecured to and projecting outwardly on said frame on the opposite sideof the frame from said hinge means.

17. A frame for supporting a lens in position to be closed against agasket on an outwardly facing seat about a light egress opening in acavitated housing supporting a lamp and reflector therein the fra mecomprising:

a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame structure for engaging insupporting relation about the lens and having a split in the frame withends of the frame confronting one another at the split to facilitateassembly of the lens with the frame by springing the frame;

hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and adapted to besecured to the housing so that the ends of the frame will be heldagainst separating and the frame thereby mounting fixedly on the lensand the lens and the frame thereby enabled to be swung as a unit betweenopening and closing positions relative to the opening and the gasket;

means on the frame for releasably securing the frame in'the closedposition and with the lens and the frame closed against the gasket;

said hinge means comprising piano hinges, each having a plate stripportion secured to the frame and a hingedly connected plate stripportion for securing the hinge to the housing.

18. A frame according to claim 17, wherein said releasable means includetabs projecting from the frame on the opposite side thereof from saidhinge means and adapted to be secured to the housing by screws.

19. In a method of mounting a closure lens for the egress opening of acavitated floodlight housing having therein a lamp and a reflector, thesteps of: providing a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame in theform of an integral lens edge receiving channel structure adapted toengage supportingly about the edges of the lens and having a split withconfronting ends, with hinge means on the frame at opposite sides of thesplit;

resiliently flexing and spreading the frame apart at the split from asubstantially closed loop condition to receive the lens edgewise withinthe frame channel structure;

permitting the frame to spring back into substantially closed loopcondition and thereby closing the frame into supporting relation aboutthe lens;

securing the hinge means fixedly to the housing to thereby hold theframe against spreading and so that the lens and frame as a unit can beswung between open and closed positions relative to said opening; and Ireleasably securing the frame in the closed position against a sealinggasket mounted between the frame and the housing.

l l l

1. In a floodlight assembly including a cavitated housing supporting alamp and reflector therein and having a light egress opening with anoutwardly facing seat thereabout against which a sealing gasket isreceived, and a closure lens arranged to be closed against the gasket,the improvement comprising: a resiliently flexible lens mounting framein the form of an integral lens edge receiving channel and engaging insupport relation about the lens and having a split therein with ends inconfronting relation and facilitating assembly of the lens with theframe by flexing the frame open sufficiently from a substantially closedloop condition to receive the lens edgewise in the channel structure andthen allowing the frame to spring back into the substantially closedloop condition to entrap the lens edgewise in the channel structure;hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and secured to thehousing whereby said ends are held against separating and the frame ismaintained in the substantially closed loop condition fixedly on thelens and enabling the lens and the frame as a unit to be swung betweenopen and closed positions relative to said opening and said gasket; andreleasable means for securing the frame in the closed position with thelens and the frame closed against the gasket.
 2. An assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an aluminum casting, saidframe comprises thin gauge stainless steel, screws securing said hingemeans to the housing; and said releasable means comprising extensionsfrom the frame and screws securing the extensions to the housing.
 3. Anassembly according to claim 1, wherein said lens, said frame, and saidopening are of quadrilateral outline shape, said housing being providedwith a recess about said opening complementary to and receptive of saidframe therein and defined by an inner outwardly facing seat supportingthe sealing gasket thereagainst for compression by engagement with saidframe and the lens in sealing Engagement with the gasket, said housinghaving a mounting surface along and outwardly from said recess, saidhinge means engaging and secured to said mounting surface, attachmenttab extensions from said frame on the opposite side thereof from saidhinge means and providing part of said releasable means, and screws alsocomprising part of the releasable means and securing the tab extensionsto the housing.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidreleasable means comprise tabs projecting from the frame on the oppositeside of the frame from said hinge means for releasable attachment to thehousing.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame isformed from sheet metal and is of substantially U-shape cross sectionhaving an inner flange which is shorter than an outer flange, the lensbeing engaged between the flanges, and the shorter flange facilitatingsealing engagement of the gasket along the edge of the shorter flange.6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of generally U-shape, the frame having a plurality ofangularly related sections joined at corners, and reinforcing andconnecting plates permanently secured to said sections across the jointsat said corners.
 7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein saidplates at opposite corners of the frame have attachment tab extensionscomprising part of said releasable means.
 8. An assembly according toclaim 1, including a handle permanently secured to and projectingoutwardly on said frame on the opposite side of the frame from saidhinge means.
 9. In a floodlight assembly including a cavitated housingsupporting a lamp and reflector therein and having a light egressopening with an outwardly facing seat thereabout against which a sealinggasket is received, and a closure lens arranged to be closed against thegasket, the improvement comprising: a resiliently flexible lens mountingframe engaging in supporting relation about the lens and having a splittherein with ends in confronting relation and facilitating assembly ofthe lens with the frame by springing the frame; hinge means on the frameat each side of the split and secured to the housing whereby said endsare held against separating and the frame is maintained fixedly on thelens and enabling the lens and the frame as a unit to be swung betweenopen and closed positions relative to said opening and said gasket;releasable means for securing the frame in the closed position with thelens and the frame closed against the gasket; and said hinge meanscomprising piano hinges, each having a plate strip portion secured tothe frame and a hingedly connected plate strip portion for securing thehinge to the housing.
 10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein saidreleasable means include tabs projecting from the frame on the oppositeside thereof from said hinge means and adapted to be secured to thehousing by screws.
 11. A frame for supporting a lens in position to beclosed against a gasket on an outwardly facing seat about a light egressopening in a cavitated housing supporting a lamp and reflector therein,the frame comprising: a resiliently flexible lens mounting framestructure in the form of an integral lens edge receiving channel forengaging in supporting relation about the lens and having a split in theframe with ends of the frame confronting one another at the split tofacilitate assembly of the lens with the frame by springing the frameopen sufficiently from a substantially closed loop condition to receivea lens edgewise in the channel and then allowing the frame to springback into the substantially closed loop condition to entrap the lensedgewise in the channel; hinge means on the frame at each side of thesplit and adapted to be secured to the housing so that the ends of theframe will be held against separating and the frame thereby mountedfixedly on the lens and the lens and the frame thereby enabled to bEswung as a unit between opening and closing positions relative to theopening and the gasket; and means on the frame for releasably securingthe frame in the closed position and with the lens and the frame closedagainst the gasket.
 12. A frame according to claim 11, wherein saidreleasable means comprise tabs projecting from the frame on the oppositeside of the frame from said hinge means for releasable attachment to thehousing.
 13. A frame according to claim 11, wherein said frame is formedfrom sheet metal and is of substantially U-shape cross section having aninner flange which is shorter than an outer flange, the lens beingengageable between the flanges, and the shorter flange facilitatingsealing engagement of the gasket along the edge of the shorter flange.14. A frame according to claim 13, wherein the frame is formed fromsheet metal and is of generally U-shaped, the frame having a pluralityof angularly related sections joined at corners, and reinforcing andconnecting plates permanently secured to said sections across the jointsat said corners.
 15. A frame according to claim 14, wherein said platesat opposite corners of the frame have attachment tab extensionscomprising part of said releasable means.
 16. A frame according to claim15, including a handle permanently secured to and projecting outwardlyon said frame on the opposite side of the frame from said hinge means.17. A frame for supporting a lens in position to be closed against agasket on an outwardly facing seat about a light egress opening in acavitated housing supporting a lamp and reflector therein, the framecomprising: a resiliently flexible lens mounting frame structure forengaging in supporting relation about the lens and having a split in theframe with ends of the frame confronting one another at the split tofacilitate assembly of the lens with the frame by springing the frame;hinge means on the frame at each side of the split and adapted to besecured to the housing so that the ends of the frame will be heldagainst separating and the frame thereby mounting fixedly on the lensand the lens and the frame thereby enabled to be swung as a unit betweenopening and closing positions relative to the opening and the gasket;means on the frame for releasably securing the frame in the closedposition and with the lens and the frame closed against the gasket; saidhinge means comprising piano hinges, each having a plate strip portionsecured to the frame and a hingedly connected plate strip portion forsecuring the hinge to the housing.
 18. A frame according to claim 17,wherein said releasable means include tabs projecting from the frame onthe opposite side thereof from said hinge means and adapted to besecured to the housing by screws.
 19. In a method of mounting a closurelens for the egress opening of a cavitated floodlight housing havingtherein a lamp and a reflector, the steps of: providing a resilientlyflexible lens mounting frame in the form of an integral lens edgereceiving channel structure adapted to engage supportingly about theedges of the lens and having a split with confronting ends, with hingemeans on the frame at opposite sides of the split; resiliently flexingand spreading the frame apart at the split from a substantially closedloop condition to receive the lens edgewise within the frame channelstructure; permitting the frame to spring back into substantially closedloop condition and thereby closing the frame into supporting relationabout the lens; securing the hinge means fixedly to the housing tothereby hold the frame against spreading and so that the lens and frameas a unit can be swung between open and closed positions relative tosaid opening; and releasably securing the frame in the closed positionagainst a sealing gasket mounted between the frame and the housing.